A report submitted by Dr Mohammed Khalfan bin Kharbash, the UAE's minister of state for finance and industrial affairs, to the Federal National Council, has suggested that a local office be created to issue quality assurance certificates in accordance with the International Standardization Organization (ISO), reported Dubai News.

An ISO office, Kharbash stated, would help the UAE face the challenges of globalization by improving interaction with the World Trade Organization."

The ministry of state for finance and industrial affairs itself succeeded in meeting the requirements of quality standards and received the ISO certificate in November 1999. In doing so, it was the first government institution in the Middle East to receive the ISO certificate."

The ministry also plans to open a center dealing with licensing and governmental quality procedures, with the aim of helping raise its profile as an international hub for quality support and licensing. Kharbash said ministry was already implementing quality programs in many ministries, as well as the Abu Dhabi Police Force and the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Foundation for Charitable and Humanitarian Works. – (Albawaba-MEBG)